Cryptococcosis and Blastomycosis in dogs

Cryptococcosis in dogs

This ailment, caused by the yeastlike fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, is acquired by inhaling spores found in soil contaminated by bird droppings, particularly those of pigeons. In dogs, cryptococcosis requires the brain, eyes, lymph nodes, and skin. About 50 % of the dogs with this particular fungus will even show respiratory signs.

Signs and symptoms of brain involvement are an unsteady gait, pressing the top against a tough surface or standing using the head facing a wall, circling, seizures, blindness, and dementia. Involvement of the inner structures of the eyes results in blindness.

In the less frequent form that infects your skin, cryptococcosis produces firm nodules, primarily in the head area, that ulcerate and drain pus. Diagnosing is created by fungal culture and/or tissue biopsy. A cryptococcus latex agglutination test can be obtained.

Treatment: Oral antifungal drugs of the imidazole group are partially effective when started early in the course of the disease. The fact is uncertain and treatment is prolonged. Overall, the prognosis for dogs is guarded to poor.

Blastomycosis in dogs

This systemic fungal disease occurs across the eastern seaboard, in the Great Lakes region, and also the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri River valleys. The fungus is assigned to moist, rotting organic debris protected against sunlight and enriched with bird droppings, specially those of pigeons. The condition is acquired by inhaling infected spores. Dogs are considerably more vunerable to blastomycosis than are humans.

Many instances of acute canine blastomycosis involve the respiratory system and cause bronchopneumonia. About 40 % of cases involve your eyes and skin, producing signs much like the ones from cryptococcosis (see above). Weight reduction and lameness can also be noted.

Microscopic identification of organisms in transtracheal washings or in fluid aspirated from infected tissues is easily the most efficient method to make diagnosing. In difficult cases, biopsy and culture may be required. Serologic tests are also available.

Treatment: A mix of amphotericin B and one of the imidazoles seems to provide the best possibility of successful treatment. Months of treatment are needed, plus some dogs may relapse months to years later.

Public health considerations: Even though hazard to human health is minimal, humans can buy the fungus from infected bandages and bedding. Use rubber gloves and take hygienic precautions when handling an infected dog.

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